From one end of the basement to the other and as far as my hands could reach–on all sides–any way I spun I was surrounded by toys. My husband Mitchell sat not too far away from me on the floor. In the middle of his own toy piles. I held up yet another action figure, this one a Batman. Took him by the leg and tossed him into the pile of at least fifty other smallish crusaders.
So far in our unpacking of boxes (Read: Rip off tape. Pop off top. Shake. Dump. Dump. Dump.) we’d determined these groups: stuffed animals. Dolls and Barbies. Vehicles. Play food. Tools. Music. Dress up. Animals and dinosaurs.
And of course, action figures.
So very many heroes. A mini mountain of them all vying for the top. Does the world really need so much saving, I wondered? Better still, do my children really need ALLTHESETOYS? How have we accumulated So. Much. Stuff? And also, why did I not organize these toys when we first packed them?
When we first packed them. When we first packed. Almost a lifetime ago. At least that’s how it felt.
I can explain.
A week before this sorting scene described above we’d moved into our rental house. Five weeks before that we’d closed on our home, moved out, and my family of six lived temporarily with my in-laws. But I can take you back further. Four years in time. To summertime four years ago when Mitchell and I first started talking about purchasing a lot and building fresh. Building from scratch. Taking this idea, that whimsy. Adding his thoughts to the blueprint here. Inputing mine into AutoCad there. And then. And then. And then.
And then those four years passed and that celebratory moment after you’ve purchased your property happens. Land owners! It’s like this:
And that moment you’re moving into your rental and it’s all hands on deck? The excitement! Looks like that.
Yes, each stage of this process, a lifetime every one. On occasion stressful no doubt. But within each new segment there has been joy too.
I’ve found much contentment in the starting over business. Because it’s another chance to organize. Gain a stronger foothold. It’s an opportunity to grow and change and change and learn. Together.
I looked out at the sea of toys splashed in waves across the basement floor. I hurled another toy into the action figure pile. This time Spider-Man. The Amazing Spider-Man. Sorry Spidey, I thought as he clanked against his plastic friends. But we’re already saving ourselves.
We’re watching as our dreams play out. And boy oh boy are we jumping into them too.
Oh Laura! Thanks again for having me here. Such a thrill to be at your place speaking about our move! I love starting out a Monday like this. xxoo.
Oh Sarah, Thank you SO much for being here. This is such a beautiful post, and I feel you.
We did not organize the toys at all. Maybe we should have. Instead, I think Cameron tipped out ALLTHETOYS out of the boxes onto the floor of his new playroom, and so now you can’t even walk through half the room without ripping your feet to shreds on dinky cars and lego and – yes – action figures. But? Those toys are just on their playroom floor – not on the floor of the living room and the kitchen and the hallways… This feels good. :)
Laura O’Rourke recently posted..Writing Home
I’m so excited for you, Sarah. Yes, truly a fresh start. Love, love and more love.
Alison recently posted..Triple Coconut Muffins
Thanks Alison! I’m so ready on so many levels. xx.
I love this. I’ve never moved with children so I imagine it’s a whole other ball game, what with all their extra extra gear. The idea of a fresh start, a new life that begins in the middle of the current one, is very appealing.
Andrea recently posted..Five Things
Thank you andrea. that’s exactly how I’m seeing it. appealing is the right word. so many have said AGHH aren’t you so stressed?!? and I mean, yes a little. but there’s a lot more to this process than stress. :) xx
This is such a fun and exciting story! I am so excited for you, Sarah! I hope we take the plunge and buy some land soon…even if we have to wait to start the planning/building. I want that fresh start!
Katie Sluiter recently posted..Project 365 {week 30}
Do it Katie! It feels really good to own land and build from scratch!
Good luck to you! My favorite pic was your children sweeping :)
Crossing my fingers for you that the progress is quick
Mytwicebakedpotato recently posted..So NOT The Karate Kid
heehee. they can be helpful like that from time to time :)
So excited for you starting to reach your dreams. It’s a good reminder to hold onto all of those “somedays.”
Leigh Ann recently posted..One kid
yup. exactly. someday becomes today. part of me felt like we’d never be to this point. and yet. :) and yet we’re here now!
Jump in to the dreams indeed! What a great process to make your kids a part of it all. Wishing you every joy in your new home!
I wouldn’t have it any other way. I love including them in most everything. family, family, family! xo. and thanks!
There is so much beauty and promise in a fresh start. I love that chance to organize and reflect and place things just so. Once it is done, there is a contentment that you just can’t beat.
Kim@Co-Pilot Mom recently posted..How You Love Me?
exactly! from the joy then comes contentment. Love that kim!
It’s SUCH a process, especially when there are so many squatting grounds in the middle! I can imagine how much you’ll appreciate your OWN house that YOU built, when you finally get to unpack the super heroes there.
Greta recently posted..Project 365 (Week 30)
oh buddy. I am most def looking forward to my forever home. I can see it. It’s not too far in the distance. Gotta keep my eye on the prize though. And this year in between shouldn’t be so bad :)
Fresh starts and big dreams are beyond exciting…so much possibility!!
Keely recently posted..Keely’s Best Weekend Ever (AKA Who’s Paying For All These Sitters?)
i feel like I’m just swimming in possibility right now. have to say, it feels really good. xx.
I am so excited for you, Sarah (yet still dreaming, I am so serious, about that beautifully tiled tub you left behind).
It’s something about seeing the amount of things you accumulate when you start the moving process. It’s what I’ve adopted this summer. I’ve dubbed it: Pretending to Move. We aren’t moving. But I’m pretending like we are so that I can declutter. I can’t wait until you have pictures to show of that beautiful home you’re building, those new memories your kids will cherish forever.
Arnebya recently posted..Ten